Symbolism
The word ‘symbolism’ is derived from the
Greek word ‘symballein’ which means “to throw together”, “mark”,
“emblem”, “token” or “sign”. The verb symbol is an object which can be
‘animate’ or ‘inanimate’ symbol represent or stand for something different.
The definitive manifesto of symbolism
was published in September 1886 in an articles “le Figaro” written by Jean
Moreas. He founded the symbolist school whose member were Baudelaire , Mallarme
, Verlaine , etc other famous followers include Rome Ghil , Griffith and
Gustave Khan. According to M.H.Abrams,
“In the usage of
literary historian, symbolist movement
designates specifically a group of French writers beginning with Charles
Baudelaire”
Now there
might question that what can be effective an universal symbols in
literary writing. To answer the question critic J.A.Cudden suggest that any
object and action can be symbol writing.
EX.
In literature there are many objects commonly used as symbols by writers.
E.g.
1)
Scale-symbol of justice
2)
Monarchy-symbol of rule
3)
A dove- symbol of peace
4)
A goat- symbol of lust
5)
The lion - symbol of strength and courage
7)
The lily – symbol of purity
8)
Cross- symbol of Christianity
9)
The swastika- symbol of Nazi in
German
10)
Blood – symbol of violence
As critic J.A.Cudden rightly quote
that:
“ Action and gesture are also symbolic”
e.g,..
* the clenched fist is symbol of
aggression and anger
* beating of breast signifies remorse
and pain
* arms raised denotes surrender
* hands closed suggests prayer or
request
While talking about symbols in
literature critic. J.A.Cudden says:
“ A literary symbol
combines an image with a concept. It may be public or private , universal or
local”
Public and universal symbol are almost
similar to one another they are known everywhere . e.g. dove and peace , red
rose and love etc,…….. the history of English literature , the master of using
public symbol are Virgil , Dante , James Joyce,……
While private symbols are
limited to particular class , community state or country. Some literary works
know for symbolism. Dante is master of using various symbols in effective way.
E.g. “Divina Commedia” - this work is structurely symbolic in the history of English
literature.
“ Macbeth”
“King Lear”
“Hamlet”
In “Macbeth”, there is recurrence
of blood which symbolizes guilt and
violence. While in ‘Hamlet’ weeds and diseases symbolize corruption and decay.
Finally in ‘king Lear’ clothes symbolize appearance and authority.
“Rime of the ancient mariner”
Here in this book the shooting of the bird albatross is symbol of sin
and luck of respect for natural order.
“ The Waste land”
“Ash Wednesday”
-
T.S.Eliot
“ Metamorphosis”
-
Franz Kafka
All these works are full of private symbol which naturally evoke the
interest and brighten the story. Finally there was much use of symbolism in
French poetry during 19th century. Poets like Baudelaire and Mallarme
rave highly developed symbolism through their believed that the poet is a kind
of seer. So that the duty of poet is to see through and beyond the real world.
They believed that the poet has to create “other world” by suggestion and
symbolism. Some of the major symbolist poems are as below.
“Correspondence”
“sleen”
-
Baudelaire
All these French poets have highly influence the next generation of poet
in French and as well as outside of France. The main “heirs” of symbolist
movement outside French are W.B.Yeats , Ezra pound, t.s.eliot,r.m.rike etc,….
